The ways of Hong Kong lyricists : portraying and constructing identities through the lyrics

Abstract

Hong Kong music, commonly known as Cantopop, has played a significant role in shaping the cultural landscape of the city. Since gaining widespread public attention in the 1970s, Cantopop has served as a medium for the expression of Hong Kong identity. This dissertation aims to investigate the intricate relationship between Hong Kong identity and Cantopop through an analysis of four prominent Hong Kong lyricists and their works. By examining the works of these lyricists across different periods, this study delves into how they effectively conveyed their identities through their lyrics, contributing to the evolution of Cantopop as a medium for expressing Hong Kong identity. On the one hand, this dissertation finds that although the four lyricists under examination share a close connection with Hong Kong, the influence of Hong Kong identity, which emerged in the late 1960s, manifests differently within each of their works. On the other hand, this research reveals that these four lyricists skillfully construct and portray their identities by artfully integrating social realities into their lyrics. Through addressing relevant issues and reflecting the sentiments prevalent in Hong Kong society, these lyricists have established Cantopop as a potent and resonant vehicle for expressing identity. While this dissertation primarily focuses on the lyrics produced by these four lyricists prior to 1997, it also considers the new opportunities and challenges that arose for Cantopop in the post-97 era. The findings of this dissertation shed light on the understanding of Hong Kong identity and its influence, addressing a critical gap in existing studies on lyricists and Hong Kong identity.